FORMER pupils and staff of a Worcester girls school raised hundreds of pounds for a city breast care charity during a fantastic, fun-packed reunion.

In total 125 people came to the reunion of former students and staff from Christopher Whitehead Girls School at Worcestershire County Cricket Club in New Road, Worcester last Saturday (September 17).

Girls from the five houses – Anderson, Nightingale, Keller, Slessor and Curie (Reid) – felt like they had never been apart as they came from as far afield as Austria and Manchester for the afternoon tea and for a disco in the evening.

One former pupil, Amelia Eason, who also happens to be an expert on Shakespeare, arrived in a style that would have impressed the bard, receiving a lift in a helicopter to New Road courtesy of the Royal Marines.

Although the emphasis was very firmly on fun the reunion also had a serious purpose – to raise money for the Worcestershire Breast Unit Haven at 220 Newtown Road near Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

Breast cancer is a disease which has touched many of the women personally either because they have battled the illness themselves or because they know or are related to someone who has.

Emily Montgomery, a director of nursing and one of six sisters (the Richards sisters) who attended the school gave a powerful and emotional talk about her battle with breast cancer.

The reunion was also attended by 14 former members of staff, two of them 82 years old (Miss Eve Watkins and Mrs Boyle) and former headmistress, Helen Olds.

The fundraiser was once again organised by former pupil, Helen Price, who also organised last year’s inaugural reunion.

The 51-year-old of St John’s, Worcester, who was a pupil at the school between1976 and 1981 is handing over the reins next year to Jessica Sampson, one of three sisters who attended the reunion.

Mrs Price said: “It was absolutely great. The teachers were hysterical. We also had Miss Helen Olds, the last surviving head teacher (from when Christopher Whitehead was a girls school). The money is still coming in. We have raised hundreds of pounds.

“The weather was fantastic. As Eve Watkins said it was fitting it (the venue) was only around the corner from the school. It was an ideal location. Some of the staff waiting on us were past pupils of Christopher Whitehead.”

The raffle was a success with prizes donated by the St John’s Traders. Prizes included colour analysis (‘colour me beautiful’), facial massage courtesy of Elemis, prizes from Ian Narraway the butcher’s in St John’s and H Dayus the family butchers, a month’s membership at St John’s Sports Centre, two bottles of champagne from Bedwardine Funeral Services, a hamper of goodies from Sainsbury’s, a slow cooker from Tesco as well a two bottles of red wine and two boxes of chocolate.

DL Ogle Pharmacy donated a candle and some toiletries while the cricket ground donated two bottles of Prosecco and DJ Sam Morris donated £25.